Fickett: An American Architectural Hero Under Attack

The Edward H. Fickett, FAIA designed Mid-Century Modern  located 645 N. San Vicente Blvd. is on its way to . But the fight isn’t over until I am laying down in front of the bulldozer. 

I need your help to persuade the city that demolishing this 5,170-square-foot building is unnecessary, misguided, and detrimental to the city’s and county’s program of local landmarks and cultural heritage. What you think matters, and I encourage you to support mid-century modern architecture as we enter a new era of preservation for work designed during this innovative and eco-friendly period in architecture. I will be personally submitting a file to the city prior to the July 18 City Council meeting, so “cc” me your thoughts. 

Ed Fickett’s Contributions to LA Communities

As the city was busy planning the celebration of its 25 years of city-hood through 25th Anniversary Capital Project initiatives, they seemed to overlook the historical relevance of the West Hollywood Park Library turning 50 and becoming eligible for Historic Cultural Monument status.

With Edward Fickett’s architectural contributions in West Hollywood, an estimated 35 projects at one point, his architecture firm opened a second office conveniently located at 9026 Melrose Ave. to accommodate the work in the area. The main office was located only a short distance away on Beverly Boulevard, but Fickett insisted to be close to the work he was involved with at the time. 

If it meant opening another office, then so be it. The fourth generation Angeleno was committed to the development of the city of West Hollywood, as well applying his genius on a local, state, national and international stage. His work has inspired many architects and had the encouragement of Fickett himself as he often toured and spoke with students to discuss the merits of Modern. 

His unique regional perspective as an architect born and raised in California, he emphasized openness, light, functionality, and a gentle footprint on the  mid-century Modern design landscape. The irony is Fickett notated the West Hollywood Park Library as an example of his Achievement in Architectural Design within his application for Fellowship to the American Institute of Architects.

How the city got past the historical significance of the West Hollywood Park’s creator is beyond anyone’s comprehension. It makes you wonder whom the city hires to investigate merits of architecture and historical significance on behalf of the city.

Now the city seeks to raze the environmentally friendly library building in order to sod and water an additional 5,200 square feet of grass area in the park. The park will transform from 1.09 acres of grass and trees to 4.78 acres when the proposed Phase 1B is completed. This is an additional 3.69 acres of grass and tree area.  When the Master Plan originally was created, the contingent was for an additional 2.5 acres. 

Is City Council Playing by the Rules?

With all things relating politics, we must follow proper decorum. The city is required to conduct an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) notating any impacts to the environment such as tree removals, air quality, parking, Historic Resources, et al. Due to the historic relevancy of the Fickett structures that comprised the park, the city included a specific study on those buildings. 

As a result of that study and the gross negligence in estimating the severity of historic impact the project would have on the community at large, two mitigation measures were recommended and ultimately adopted. Hence, the city decided to go around specific mandates and regulations in regards to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) along with the two negative impact report findings in the Initial Study Report and allowed themselves to move forward with their plans to raze structures in the Park area, including the Fickett Library.

The official public comment period is over and the city has decided to move forward with plans of the park without the Fickett Library included and without preserving one building on the site by using the excuse the public opinion period is now over.  It has been over four years now, but it doesn’t mean we cannot continue the conversation with the city, as they have not finalized their design plans for the Phase 1B portion of the development, which includes the area of the Fickett Library.  

The city has demonstrated their lack of respect to the park as they have not maintained the buildings sufficiently within the last three to five years. The library sees sandbags protecting it from water damage, invasive root growth from harmful trees in front of the structure and an overall lack of general upkeep make apparent the city’s dislike for entertaining a thought from the past. 

Re-Use—The Eco-Friendly Approach

What if the Fickett Library became a place where couples could go perform a wedding ceremony or wedding reception or both? It will only be a matter of time before the state accepts same-sex marriages again. What an ideal setting for ceremonies and mid-sized receptions. The city could benefit economically by renting it out for special events. Kings Road Park is appropriate for small wedding ceremonies. 

But take a moment to imagine the park with the Fickett Library transformed and properly maintained while included within the new proposed plans? The city still has time to save face before the ugly mess comes crashing back to haunt them in the long run. 

The approach to re-use is one of the most eco-friendly and economic approaches toward development, considering the building itself was designed as an energy efficient and sustainable structure. One look at the design closely allowing morning direct light through the floor to ceiling windows while the pocket windows on the roof allow for diffused light to filter into the building.

West Hollywood Cultural Resources Designation Program's Mission Statement

Nomination for the Thomas Jefferson Award for Public Architecture 

The Fickett Library is eligible to be nominated for the American Institute of Architects, Thomas Jefferson Award for Public Architecture (Category 1). The objective of this prestigious award is to merit architects who follow the philosophy of Thomas Jefferson, who demonstrated a commitment to excellence in architecture in order to improve the public's understanding of its own potential through various models of quality design, according to AIA.

Not only did Fickett design the urban plan for the West Hollywood Park initiated by the state of California to improve park areas during the 1950s, but he also designed the Port of Los Angeles Cargo and Passenger areas, planned and designed large-scale HUD home developments under the Eisenhower Administration, which provided tens of thousands of homes to Vets returning from war; multi-housing innovation with projects like the , West Hollywood, a Historic Cultural Monument.

He served as the Architectural Commissioner for the city of Beverly Hills from 1977 to 1986, as well as designed several other civic buildings of our community. Fickett’s body of work merits the Thomas Jefferson Award for Public Architecture as well as saving one of his designs from the historic park.

Take Action, Speak out

• Every effort should be taken to avoid the demolition of this potential landmark building and find a way to incorporate it into the design of the Master Plan.

• The West Hollywood Park Library can be adapted to fit the needs of the gay community as a place for marriage ceremonies and receptions with the City receiving an economic incentive by renting the facility as a special events room.

• With proper maintenance and the removal of invasive roots from trees around the site, the building could once again be restored to the original luster it once had.

• The West Hollywood Park Library can be sensitively upgraded for enhanced energy efficiency to meet the project’s sustainability goals. 

• Increasing the Parks total green area by more than 3 acres would indicate there is room for discussion in keeping the West Hollywood Library from being razed as there would adequate green area with the new Master Plan including the Fickett Library.

• Demolition of the West Hollywood Park Library, would call into question the City’s ability to protect our cultural heritage when clear adaptive reuse options exist.

• Plans to raze the West Hollywood Library should be avoided.  This sets a precedent and could invite further changes and cumulative impacts to this linear historic landscape monument.

Please Comment by July 11

I ask you from the bottom of my heart to take a few minutes to gather your thoughts and contact the council members of West Hollywood through a letter. If you and one friend of yours could spend 20 minutes to put together some thoughts on a situation that just isn’t right, you could help create history by protecting this cultural resource for future generations to come. Click here for a complete Weho city phone directory. 

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